This Foot Attachment Helps Upper-Body Amputees Play Video Games
Rahul Kalvapalle — June 25, 2016 — Tech
References: hub.jhu.edu & gizmag
A trio of grad students working out of Johns Hopkins University have developed a high-tech foot attachment that is designed to make it possible for upper-body amputees to play games using their feet. The project was kickstarted by student Gyorgy Levay after he lost both his hands to a meningitis infection.
The so-called Game Enhancing Augmented Reality attachment comprises a pair of foot attachments, each of which is fitted with a trio of movement-detecting sensors. As the player moves their foot around, the attachments' circuits translate them into in-game movements. Once a user becomes accustomed to the foot attachment setup, they can use it to elicit as many as 20 different functions.
This wearable is an important innovation considering the finding that a large percentage of amputees suffer from depression, something which can be alleviated with technologies that allow them to partake in activities that they enjoy, such as gaming.
The so-called Game Enhancing Augmented Reality attachment comprises a pair of foot attachments, each of which is fitted with a trio of movement-detecting sensors. As the player moves their foot around, the attachments' circuits translate them into in-game movements. Once a user becomes accustomed to the foot attachment setup, they can use it to elicit as many as 20 different functions.
This wearable is an important innovation considering the finding that a large percentage of amputees suffer from depression, something which can be alleviated with technologies that allow them to partake in activities that they enjoy, such as gaming.
Trend Themes
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Wearable Gaming Technology — Developing wearable technology for gaming allows upper-body amputees to participate in activities they enjoy.
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Movement-detecting Sensors — The use of movement-detecting sensors in gaming wearables opens up possibilities for precise and immersive gaming experiences.
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Alleviating Depression in Amputees — Creating technologies that enable amputees to engage in activities that bring them joy can help reduce the prevalence of depression in this population.
Industry Implications
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Gaming — The gaming industry could tap into the market potential of developing inclusive gaming wearables for people with physical disabilities.
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Prosthetics — The prosthetics industry can explore the integration of gaming technology in their products to enhance the functionality and quality of life for amputees.
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Healthcare — The healthcare industry can leverage gaming wearables as a therapeutic tool for mental health, promoting well-being and reducing depression in patients with physical disabilities.
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